Be a Spotter, Not a Bystander

Falcons always take care of each other

Did you know? 99% of Bentley students stated they would want a peer to intervene if they were making a decision that put their health or safety in danger!

 

As a verb, the word spot can mean to detect or notice. Often times, students are worried about a friend, but they don't know exactly what to say to that person, what they should do to get help, or who they can talk to. If you were in a situation where you might be in danger of hurting yourself or another person, wouldn't you want someone to help you?

As members of the Bentley Community who uphold the Bentley Beliefs, we are all responsible for the health and safety of our members. So be a good friend, classmate, roommate and community member and act when you think something is wrong. Falcons always take care of each other.

Who needs Spotting?

Any student whom you are worried about!

When should you spot a friend?

Sometimes it is hard to determine when a friend needs your help. Trust your intuition, if you are worried, seek help!  Below are some common situations where a student could be struggling, and may need your spot.

Your Friend is eating too little
Your Friend is drinking too much
Your Friend is no longer attending their classes
Your Friend seems detached
Your friend has lots of new bruises or injuries
Your Friend has lost a family member
Your Friend seems sad or angry
Your Friend is using drugs

What can you do?

  • Call University Police Immediately--781.891.3131 if someone is in immediate danger or you are very concerned.
    If no immediate danger is present, you can also contact University Police through their anonymous tip reporting form.

 

  • Seek support from a trusted staff member or from offices like Health and Wellness, Counseling and Student Development, Residential Life, Spiritual Life and more!

 

  • Learn the 5 Steps to Social Spotting and Participate in a Spot On Leadership Training! This 90 minute interactive program provides an interdisciplinary approach examining what WE can do to help. It increases participants motivation and confidence to respond to behaviors that threaten a peer's health, safety or well-being.

     Participants learn the following:

  • individual and group barriers to seeking help
  • formal steps of social spotting
  • problem solving skill set to be able to safely spot

 

 

Please contact Jessica Traue jtraue@bentley.edu or by phone, 781.891.2222 for further information about Spot On, or to schedule a session.